DoD News

News Article

Web Site Educates Work Force on Constitution, Citizenship

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2005  The Defense Department developed a new way for its employees to learn more about the Constitution and citizenship as part of the national attention on both this week.

A new DoD Web site at http://constitutionday.cpms.osd.mil contains a 20-minute course on the Constitution that highlights the relationship between the Constitution and DoD employees. Also included is the complete text of the Constitution, an interactive timeline of events before and after the signing of the document, and a question-and-answer section.

The new Web site was developed to support the efforts of the heads of DoD components responsible for providing educational materials on the Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, officials said.

Each DoD component may organize activities including educational programs and ceremonies to reaffirm the oath of office that federal employees take upon appointment to the federal service, officials noted. All DoD personnel, they added, are encouraged to join in appropriate tributes to the principles of liberty and democracy, which continue to guide the nation and inspire countless others around the world.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day were established through Public Law 108-447, which also requires that training and educational materials on the Constitution are made available to all federal agency employees each year.

"I encourage federal, state and local officials, as well as leaders of civic, social and educational organizations, to conduct ceremonies and programs that celebrate our Constitution and reaffirm our rights and obligations as citizens of our great nation," President Bush said in a proclamation designating Sept. 17 as Citizenship Day and the week beginning that day and ending Sept. 23 of each year as Constitution Week. Congress issued a joint resolution as well.

"Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an important occasion for all Americans, but it has special significance for members of the DoD family who work so hard and sacrifice so much to protect and defend the principles of liberty and democracy upon which this great nation was founded," said Marilee Fitzgerald, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for civilian personnel policy.

Because Sept. 17 was a Saturday, many federal agencies and schools commemorated the Constitution on Sept. 16. Others scheduled activities today and during the week ending Sept. 23.